Mobile telecommunications system

ABSTRACT

A method of processing a handover request from a base station controller (BSC) of a GSM (Global System for Mobile communication)-type network. The method comprises the steps of passing a handover request with GSM-type parameters from a base station controller (BSC) through a Master Switching Center (MSC) of the GSM-type network to a UMTS core network (CN) and to a Radio Network Controller (RNC) of the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) network, translating the GSM-type parameters to UTRAN parameters in the Radio Network Controller (RNC), and allocating UTRAN resources in response to the translated parameters.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/790,674, filed Mar. 3, 2004, now pending; which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/578,705, filed May 26, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,039, issued Apr. 20, 2004, which claims priority from British Patent Application No. 9912604.7, filed May 28, 1999, by Gina Parmar and Robert Patterson, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This application claims only subject matter disclosed in the parent application and therefore presents no new matter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mobile telecommunication system and is particularly concerned with the handover of calls between two types of communication systems, particularly handover between a GSM and a UMTS network.

It has been generally proposed that it would be desirable to provide handover between a GSM and a UMTS network. However, this is not a straightforward task to accomplish and there are a number of problems to implement before this can be successfully achieved; the present invention is concerned with these problems. It is, however, more generally applicable to interoperability between networks using different protocols; in such a case, the terms used herein are to be construed as applying to the relevant equivalent components of the networks to which the invention is applied. Although aspects of the invention provide independent solutions to various aspects of the problems concerned with GSM and UMTS handover, all are concerned with this common problem and in particular are concerned with a novel solution in which an RNC of the UMTS network controls handover to a large extent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is described in the context of GSM and UMTS networks for ease of understanding, but is applicable to handover between other networks with similar characteristics. Accordingly, all references to GSM and UMTS and all terms of art used herein are to be construed as encompassing equivalent features of other networks. In particular, the present Japanese PDC network is of similar architecture to GSM and the term GSM (or GSM-type) as used in the specification and claims is intended to encompass such a network. Similarly, the term UMTS (and related terms) is intended to encompass a UMTS system in accordance with present standards and proposals and any derivatives or equivalents thereof.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of processing a handover request from a base station controller (BSC) of a GSM network, the method comprising passing a handover request with GSM parameters from a base station controller (BSC) through a Master Switching Centre (MSC) of the GSM network to a UMTS core network (C) and to a Radio Network Controller (RNC) of the UMTS network; in the radio network controller, translating the GSM parameters to UTRAN parameters; and allocating UTRAN resources in response to the translated parameters. Thus, rather than translating the GSM parameters on entry to the UMTS network, the GSM parameters pass transparently through at least a portion of the UMTS network to the RNC. The parameters may include one or more of data rate, call type (voice, data, fax, other, e.g. video, IP), Quality of Service etc. This reduces processing load elsewhere in the network and enables the RNC to allocate the optimum UTRAN resources for the call.

Preferably, the RNC is arranged to switch directly from a GSM connection to a soft handover UMTS mode. This is advantageous compared to simply establishing an individual connection from the User Equipment (UE) to a single UMTS access node. This preferred features may be provided independently in a second aspect in which the invention provides a method of switching from a GSM network to a UMTS network characterised by switching directly from a mode in which User Equipment (UE) is in communication with a GSM base station to a UMTS diversity mode in which the User Equipment is in communication with a plurality of UMTS access nodes, preferably comprising configuring the UTRAN so that a plurality of access nodes are prepared to communicate with the UE and/or preferably supplying a list of potential access nodes to the UE.

Preferably, the Radio Network Controller (RNC) is arranged, following translation of the GSM format handover request firstly to perform radio link setup and then, following a response from the radio link, to perform data transport setup for communication between the Radio Network Controller and the Core Network, This allows communication with the Core Network to be established following successful radio setup rather than independently, thus avoiding unnecessary use of CN or RNC (Iu interface) resources if radio link setup is not possible. This preferable feature may be provided independently in a third aspect in which the invention provides a method of establishing UMTS communication with User Equipment following receipt by a Radio Network Controller of a GSM handover request, the method comprising, in the Radio Network Controller, setting up a radio link to a Node B and, following acknowledgement of the radio link setup, in the Radio Network Controller, setting up data transport between the Radio Network Controller and the Core Network.

Preferably, the Radio Network Controller is arranged (preferably following radio link setup) to pass a handover message containing UTRAN parameters through the GSM network (for example as a message), preferably through the Core Network to the GSM Master Switching Centre and preferably at least through the Base Station Controller of the GSM network, to the User Equipment; the method further comprising interpreting the UTRAN parameters in the User Equipment and, in response to the parameters, initiating communication between the User Equipment and the UMTS network.

This may be provided independently in a fourth aspect in which the invention provides a method of establishing UMTS communication between User Equipment and a UMTS network, wherein the User Equipment is in communication with a GSM network, the method comprising forwarding UTRAN parameter information, preferably comprising a list of potential UMTS Access Nodes via the GSM network, preferably from a Radio Network Controller of the UMTS network, to the User Equipment and, in the User Equipment, interpreting the UTRAN parameter information and initiating communication with the UMTS network.

Thus, in contrast to the initial step, where GSM information tunnels into the UMTS network and is interpreted in the RNC, the UTRAN information tunnels through the GSM network without interpretation and is interpreted by the UE. This means that the GSM network need not include intelligence to process the information, simplifying interconnection with existing GSM networks.

Following initiation of communication, preferably the UE is arranged to establish a link through the RNC of the UMTS network to the MSC of the GSM network (where the GSM call originated). This then completes establishing a link from the MSC to the UE via the UMTS network.

Preferably, potential links supplied in a list to the UE on which satisfactory communication is not possible are deleted from the list of available links; this step may be provided independently in a method of performing soft handover from a GSM network to a UMTS network comprising supplying a list of potential UMTS access nodes to User Equipment; establishing communication between the UE and at least one UMTS access node; and deleting potential nodes with which satisfactory communication is not possible from said list.

Preferably, at least during handover, the User Equipment (UE) is arranged to communicate over both the GSM network an the UMTS network simultaneously or quasi-simultaneously. This feature may be provided independently in a fifth aspect in which the invention provides a method of communicating between User Equipment and GSM and UMTS networks comprising communicating information simultaneously or quasi-simultaneously via both network during handover from one network to the other.

All of the above aspects may be provided independently, but are advantageously combined in a system. Thus, the invention may provide a method of handing over a GSM call to a UMTS network comprising passing a handover request from the GSM network (preferably from a BSC, preferably containing GSM call parameters) to a RNC of the UMTS network; interpreting the request in the RNC and initiating call setup (preferably performing radio link setup and preferably thereafter, in response to a successful setup, performing data link to core network setup); forwarding handover information containing UTRAN parameters (preferably including a list of potential access nodes) to UE (preferably passing the UTRAN information transparently through the GSM network, for example as a message, to be interpreted by the UE); in the UE, setting up a UMTS call based on the UTRAN parameters.

The invention extends to a radio network, or combination of networks, radio network components, particularly RNCs and UEs all adapted to implement any of the above method aspects and in particular are concerned with a particular novel solution in which an RNC of the UMTS network controls handover to a large extent.

The invention is described in the context of GSM and UMTS networks for ease of understanding but is applicable to handover between other networks with similar characteristics. Accordingly, all references to GSM and MTS and all terms of art used herein are to be construed as encompassing equivalent features of other networks. In particular, the present Japanese PDC network is of similar architecture to GSM and the term GSM (or GSM-type) as used in the specification and claims is intended to encompass such a network. Similarly, the term UMTS (and related terms) is intended to encompass a UMTS system in accordance with present standards and proposals and any derivatives or equivalents thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which FIG. 1 depicts the sequence of events between GSM to UMTS handover via a MAP/E interface. This will also be applicable via the IWU.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

1. The BSC sends Handover Required message to the GSM MSC. This includes the GSM information elements (service information rate, service type, etc.) and the UMTS cell/Node-B information on which good radio quality is achievable.

2. The GSM MSC sends MAP/E message Prepare Handover to the UMTS CN forwarding the UMTS cell-ids transparently.

3. The CN sends RANAP message Handover Request to the Target RNC. This message will contain information elements indicating from which network type this handover is taking place e.g. “handover-type”=“from GSM”. It will also contain information elements allowing transparent transfer of GSM Parameters to the RNC, e.g. GSM Bearer Capability, version number and other relevant parameters relating to the GSM call. Additionally, the relevant UMTS cell/Node-B information provided by the MS-UE is also transferred transparently to the RNC.

4. The RNC maps GSM appropriate call parameters to the relevant UMTS logical channel, transport channel and allocates radio resource parameters as appropriate (e.g. DL channelization code, UL spreading factor, UL scrambling code, Radio Frequency, Radio Link ID, Link Reference, S-RNTI, Transport Format Sets, Transport Format Combination Set, Initial DL Power). This function can only be done at this state, since only the RNC knows the status of the radio resources.

5. Since dedicated transport channels are selected, the GSM call can go into immediate soft-handover.

i) The RNC sends NBAP message Radio Link Setup to all relevant Node Bs.

ii) All relevant Node Bs start transmission /reception.

iii) All relevant Node Bs send NBAP message Radio Link Setup Response to the RNC.

6. The RNC sets up Iub transport bearer to all relevant Node Bs. The RNC is in a condition to set up the Transport Bearer across Iub since it knows if the UTRAN resources have been setup successfully.

7. The RNC sets up Iu transport bearer. The RNC is in a condition to set up the Transport Bearer across Iu since it knows if the UTRAN resources have been set up successfully.

8. The RNC sends Handover Request Acknowledge passing the appropriate UMTS parameters to the CN (e.g. DL channelization code, UL Spreading Factor, UL Scrambling Code, etc.) which are destined for the UE allowing the successful handover of the UE to UMTS.

9. The CN sends Prepare Handover Response to the GSM MSC (forwarding the UMTS parameters).

10. The GSM MSC sends Handover Command to the BSC (forwarding the UMTS parameters).

11. BSC sends the RR message Handover Command to the UE. This contains the necessary UMTS parameters.

12. The UE interprets the UMTS parameters within the RR message and is able to switch the call from a GSM call into a UMTS call with multiple or single diversity branches as indicated in the UMTS parameters. At this sate, the mobile unit is receiving information from the GSM network using its GSM capabilities and uses this information to switch communication to the UMTS network or simultaneously communicate with the UMTS network and GSM network using its UMTS and GSM capabilities.

13. The UE starts Tx/Rx.

14. On detection of synchronization, the Node B sends NBAP message Handover Detect to the RNC.

15. If at least one of the Radio Links has been successfully set up, then the RNC is able to establish the RLC link for the DTCH and the RRC for the DCCH to the UE. The RNC is then able to signal to the CN and onwards to the MSC that the handover is complete. The MSN is able to switch the call through on the new UTRAN leg.

16. In the case of having allocated multiple radio links on the DL and if UL synchronization has not been detected, then the appropriate signalling may take place between Node B and RNC to release the unused radio resources.

It will be appreciated that the invention can be applied to other network configurations. To assist in appreciating how the invention may be extended, a glossary of terms used in the art pertaining to UMTS systems is provided; any of the terms of art may be replaced by functionally equivalent components in a non-UMTS system. The following documents are incorporated herein by reference;

[1] Draft ETR/SMG-50102. “Special Mobile Group (SMG) Vocabulary for the Universal Mobile Telecommunications system”.

[2] ETSI DTR/SMG-0225××U, “Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Vocabulary for the UTRAN”, UMTS 25.×× Version 0.1.0.

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

Active Set

Set of radio links simultaneously involved in a specific communication service between a UE and a UTRAN.

Cell

A cell is a geographical area that can be identified by a UE from a (cell) identification that is broadcast from one UTRAN Access Point.

Coded Composite Transport Channel (CCTrCH)

A data stream resulting from encoding and multiplexing of one or several transport channels.

The data stream of the CCTrCH is fed to a data splitter unit that splits the CCTrCH's data stream onto one or several Physical Channel Data Streams.

Contention Resolution

A functionality or procedure to solve the collision of identities on the initial random access messages from two (or more) UEs.

Forward Handover

A type of handover initiated by the UE. The UE sends the request for establishment of a new radio link in the new cell, i.e., it does not use the current radio link for performing handover but a radio link of the new cell.

Gateway UER/Seed

A ODMA relay node that also communicates with the UTRAN using either TDD or FDD mode.

Handover

Handover is a family of procedures that adds or removes one or several radio links between one UE and UTRAN when a RRC connection exists and the position of the UE is known on cell level in the UTRAN.

Hard Handover

Hard handover is a category of handover procedures where all the old radio links in the UE are abandoned before the new radio links are established.

Logical Channel

A logical channel is an information stream dedicated to the transfer of a specific type of information over the radio interface.

ODMA Relay Node

A relay device, such as a UER or Seed, that is capable of relaying using the ODMA protocol.

Physical Channel

In FDD mode, a physical channel is defined by code, frequency and, in the uplink, relative phase (I/O. In TDD, mode, a physical channel is defined by code, frequency, and time-slot.

Physical channel data stream

In the uplink, a data stream that is transmitted on one physical channel.

In the down link, a data stream that is transmitted on one physical channel in each cell of the active set.

Radio Access Bearer

The service that the access stratum provides to the non-access stratum for transfer of user data between UE and CN.

Radio Frame

Radio frame is a numbered time interval of 10 ms duration used for data transmission on the radio physical channel. A radio frame is divided into 16 time slots of 0.625 ms duration. The unit of data that is mapped to a radio frame (10 ms time interval) may also be referred to as radio frame.

Radio Link

The set of (radio) physical channels comprised in a transmission path between a UE to one UTRAN access point.

Radio Link Addition

The procedure where a new radio ink is added to the active set.

Radio Link Removal

The procedure where a radio link is removed from the active set.

Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI)

A Radio Network Temporary Identifier is an identifier for a US when an RRC connection exists. It is e.g. used by the MAC protocol on common Transport Channels (RACH, FACH, PCH).

Relay

A device capable of receiving and transmitting information for another user.

Relaying

The process of receiving and transmitting information for another user, such as carried out by a UER.

Relaylink

Relaylink is the communications line between two ODMA relay nodes.

Root Relay

ODMA relay node where communications are either sourced or sunk.

RRC Connection

A point-to-point bi-directional connection between RRC peer entities on the UE and the UTRAN sides, respectively. An UE has either zero or one RRC Connection.

Seed

A ODMA relay node which is deployed by a network operator and is generally fixed, constantly powered, and has no display/keypad.

Signalling Connection

An acknowledged-mode link between the user equpment and the core network to transfer higher layer information beteween peer entities in the non-access stratum.

Signaling Link

Provides an acknowledged-mode link layer to transfer the UE-UTRAN signalling messages as well as UE-Core Network singalling messages (using the signalling connection).

Soft Handover

Soft handover is a category of handover procedures where the radio links are added and abandoned in such manner that the UE always keeps at least one radio link to the UTRAN.

Transmission Time Interval

Transmission Time Interval is defined as the inter-arrival time of Transport Block Sets, i.e., the time it should take to transmit a Transport Block Set. It is always a multiple of 10 ms (the length of one Radio Frame).

Transport Block

Transport Block is defined as the basic unit passed down to L1 from MAC, for L1 processing. An equivalent term for Transport Block is “MAC PDU”.

Transport Block Set

Transport Block Set is defined as a set of Transport Blocks which is passed to L1 from MAC at the same time instance using the same transport channel. An equivalent term for Transport Block Set is “MAC PDU Set”.

Transport Block Set Size

Transport Block Set Size is defined as the number of bits in a Transport Block Set.

Transport Block Size

Transport Block Size is defined as the size (number of bits) of a Transport Block.

Transport Channel

The channels offered by the physical layer to Layer 2 for data transport between peer L1 entities are denoted as Transport Channels.

Different types of transport channels are defined by how and with which characteristics data is transferred on the physical layer, e.g., whether using dedicated or common physical channels are employed.

Transport Format

A Transport Format is defined as a format offered by L1 to MAC for the delivery of a Transport Block Set during a Transmission Time Interval on a Transport Channel. The Transport Format constitutes of two parts - one dynamic part and one semi-static part.

Transport Format Combination

A Transport Format Combination is defined as the combination of currently valid Transport Formats on all Transport Channels of a UE, i.e., containing one Transport Format from each Transport Channel.

Transport Format Combination Set

A Transport Format Combination Set is defined as a set of Transport Format Combinations to be used by a UE.

Transport Format Combination Indicator (TFCI)

A Transport Format Combination Indicator is a representation of the current Transport Format Combination.

Transport Format Indicator (TFI)

A label for a specific Transport Format within a Transport Format Set.

Transport Format Set

A Transport Format Set is defined as the set of Transport Formats associated to a Transport Channel.

URA Updating

URA updating is a family of procedures that updates the UTRAN registration area of a UE when a RRC connection exists and the position of the UE is known on URA level in the UTRAN.

User Equipment/Relay enabled (UE_(R))

A UE with ODMA relay operation enabled.

UTRAN Registration Area (URA)

The UTRAN Registration Area is an area covered by a number of cells. The URA is only internally known in the UTRAN.

UTRAN Access Point

A conceptual point within the UTRAN performing radio transmission and reception. A UTRAN access point is associated with one specific cell, i.e., there exists one UTRAN access point for each cell. It is the UTRAN-side end point of a radio link.

ABBREVIATIONS

ARQ Automatic Repeat Request

BCCH Broadcast Control Channel

BCH Broadcast Channel

BPSK Binary Phase Shift Keying

BSS Base Station System

BTS base Transceiver Station

C- Control-

CC Call Control

CCCH Common Control Channel

CCH Control Channel

CCTrCH Coded Composite Transport Channel

CDMA Code Division Multiple Access

CN Core Network

CRC Cyclic Redundancy Check

DC Dedicated Control (SAP)

DCA Dynamic Channel Allocation

DCCH Dedicated Control Channel

DCH Dedicated Channel

DHO Diversity Handover

DL Downlink

DRNC Drift Radio Network Controller

DS-CDMA Direct-Sequence Code Division Multiple Access

DSCH Downlink Shared Channel

DTCH Dedicated Traffic Channel

DTX Discontinuous Transmission

FACH Forward Link Access Channel

FAUSCH Fast Uplink Signalling Channel

FCS Frame Check Sequence

FDD Frequency Division Duplex

GC General Control (SAP)

HO Handover

HHO Hard Handover

ITU International Telecommunication Union

kbps kilo-bits per second

ksps kilo-symbols per second

L1 Layer 1 (physical layer)

L2 Layer 2 (data ink layer)

L3 Layer 3 (network layer)

LAC Link Access Control

MAC Medium Access Control

MM Mobility Management

Mcps Mega-ships per second

Mt Notification (SAP)

OCCCH ODMA Common Control Channel

ODCCH ODMA Dedicated Control Channel

ODCH ODMA Dedicated Channel

ODMA Opportunity Driven Multiple Access

ORACH ODMA Random Access Channel

ODTCH ODMA Dedicated Traffic Channel

PCCH Paging Conrol Channel

PCH Paging Channel

PDU Protocol Data Unit

PHY Physical Layer

PhyCHPhysical Channel

RACH Random Access Channel

RLC Radio Link Control

RNC Radio Network Controller

RNS Radio Network Subsystem

RNTI Radio Network Temporary Identity

RRC Radio Resource Control

SAP Service Access Point

SCCH Synchronization Control Channel

SCH Synchronization Channel

SDU Service Data Unit

SIR Signal-to-Interference Ratio

SRNC Serving Radio Network Controller

SRNS Serving Radio Network Subsystem

TCH Traffic Channel

TDD Time Division Duplex

TFCI Transport Format Combination Indicator

TFI Transport Format Indicator

TN Termination node

TPC Transmit Power Control

TRX Transmitter/Receiver

U- User-

UE User Equipment

UE_(R) User Equipment with ODMA relay operation enabled

UL Uplink

UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunciations System

URA UTRAN Registration Area

UTRA UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access

UTRAN UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network 

1. A method of establishing Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) communication between User Equipment (UE) and a UMTS network, wherein the User Equipment is in communication with a Global System for Mobile communication (GSM)-type network, the method comprising: forwarding UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) parameter information to the User Equipment via the GSM-type network; and in the User Equipment, interpreting the UTRAN parameter information and initiating communication with the UMTS network.
 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the UTRAN parameter information is supplied by a Radio Network Controller of the UMTS network.
 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the UTRAN parameter information comprises a list of potential UTRAN access points.
 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the UE is arranged to establish a link through the Radio Network Controller (RNC) of the UMTS network to the MSC of the GSM-type network.
 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein potential links supplied in a list to the UE on which satisfactory communication is not possible are deleted from the list of available links.
 6. A radio network controller of a UMTS network including means for implementing a method according to claim
 1. 7. User Equipment for a UMTS network arranged to communicate over both a GSM network and said UMTS network, and comprising: means for receiving UTRAN parameters for setting up a UMTS call from the GSM network; and means for initiating communication with the UMTS network based on said parameters to enable a GSM call to be handed over to the UMTS network.
 8. A message or data packet in a GSM network containing UTRAN parameters for handing over a GSM call to a UMTS network addressed to User Equipment engaged in a GSM call and capable of switching to a UMTS call.
 9. A radio network controller of a UMTS network including means for implementing a method according to claim
 2. 10. A radio network controller of a UMTS network including means for implementing a method according to claim
 3. 11. A radio network controller of a UMTS network including means for implementing a method according to claim
 4. 12. A radio network controller of a UMTS network including means for implementing a method according to claim
 5. 